Planting Olive Trees

We set off for Dey Istra last Friday to help a group of four Palestinian families plant olive trees to replace the ones that had been uprooted by settlers from the surrounding hills. We were there with an activist peace group from Israel called Rabbis for Human Rights. The Rabbis are known for their support of Palestinian villagers, particularly farmers, and have been on many excursions such as this, both as extra farm hands and a protective presence. That day there was only one Rabbi but seven Israeli volunteers.

After walking about 2 miles through winding trails in the picturesque valley of Dey Istra, we arrived at our destination where around fifty trees wrapped in plastic covering were waiting for us. The local farmers dug the holes with basic tools, as we unwrapped the plants and sank them into the inhospitable ground. The searing heat made the task rather arduous for those who have yet to acclimate to the weather, but our guests were happy to appease our thirst with fresh water and juice. And after we finished, we were given a picnic under the shade of an established olive tree. We ate pita and humus and shared sweet, black tea that was brewed over an open fire. We observed Israelis and Palestinians working together, each with grace and good humor (a side of the conflict you do not see in the international news).

We shared openly with the Israelis about their concerns for the effects of the occupation for all parties. “If you want a decent world, you have to do something to bring it about,” said Hillel, an American born Israeli, as we inquired about what led him to get involved. Yehoshua (Joshua), who fled Germany at the age of 6 in 1937, said his friends ask why get involved? He said thoughtfully, “I am not a religious man, but someday I’m going to have to answer the question what have you done to help, and I’ll be able to answer…I did my part.”

To learn more about the Rabbis for Human Rights, visit their website at http://rhr.israel.net/